Overview
Explore the Incan Empire with your students. Begin your journey in Lima, Peru, and discover the "City of the Kings." Fly to Cuzco, the historic administrative, political, and military center of the Incan Empire. Meet with local students and explore the incredible fortress of Ollantaytambo, the only Incan site to withstand the Spanish invasion. Then, take a scenic bus ride through the Andes to the entrance of Machu Picchu, the famous "Lost City of the Incas," and marvel at this awe-inspiring archaeological wonder.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Lima
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 2
Lima guided sightseeing tour
Discover Lima’s rich history and vibrant culture on a guided tour of its most iconic landmarks. Visit the neo-colonial Government Palace, City Hall, and the Cathedral of Lima with its 14 side doors. Explore upscale San Isidro, scenic Miraflores, and the historic San Francisco Convent, all overlooking the Pacific coast.
Museo Larco visit
Explore ancient Peruvian history at the Museo Larco.
LEAP Peruvian Folk dance lessons
Delve further into Peruvian culture by participating in an optional local dance lesson this evening.
Day 3
Fly to Cusco
Cusco city walk
Enjoy a Walking Tour of Cusco and take in many Inca remains, charming streets and the colonial section of the city. See how the multiple cultures of the area collide, with sometimes surprising results.
Koricancha Temple visit
Dinner and free time in Cusco
Day 4
Cusco excursion
Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman Fortress visit
LEAP Pago al la Tierra
Discover ancient Incan rituals in one of the oldest traditions in the Andean World. With the help of Paqo, a wise man, participants 'pay' Mother Earth for everything she provides by gathering up and offering her a package filled with earthly gifts. The goddess is whimsical and the purpose of this ritual is to please her.
Free time in Cusco
Day 5
Pisac & Ollantaytambo visit
LEAP Peruvian School Visit
Visit a Peruvian school to meet local students, practice Spanish and see the differences between schools there and schools at home. (Please note that school visits will not be possible on certain dates due to schools not being in session. WorldStrides will update you as early as possible.)
LEAP Weaving Culture
Step into the Andean world and discover the significant role textiles play in Peruvian culture. Learn how to spin, dye, and weave the fabrics that identified social and ethnic groups, and recorded important events. Create a small souvenir of your own!
Day 6
Train ride to Agua Calientes (Machupicchu Pueblo)
The train passes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Aguas Calientes.
Explore Machu Picchu
Board a train and travel through the Sacred Valley for a full-day excursion to Peru's most famous destination, the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu. Set on a mountaintop, deep in the jungle, Machu Picchu remained unknown to the outside world until 1912.
Transfer by train back to Sacred Valley
Day 7
Fly to Lima
Fly home
Day 8
Return home
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Peru
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.